CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 18 June 1936, Page 11

CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS

SUGGESTIONS OF NATIONAL CONFERENCE (By Telegraph—Press Association) WELLINGTON, This Day. The National Conference in connection with the New Zealand centenary celebrations expressed general approval of the Government’s proposals, but several suggestions for variation were made and are to be the subject of further representations to the Government. Particularly is this so in connection with the proposed allocation of £75,000 towards the Wellington Exhibition. The Mayor of Wellington, Mr Hislop, expressed the view strongly that it would be no use considering the establishment of a worthy Exhibition with a maximum Government contribution of £75,000. which was lower than the assistance granted to the Dunedin Exhibition, though the occasion was much more important. He suggested that £125,000, the public to New Zealand to find the same amount. No finality was reached on Mr Hislip’s suggestion but the conference agreed that the Government’s contribution to the total commemorations, throughout the Dominion was very generous . The Mayor of Auckland suggested that local contribution? should be subsidised £1 to £2, not £3. On this also further representations are to be made. The Hon. W. E. Parry again emphasised the necessity of the celebrations being regarded from a national and not a parochial point of view.

Various committees—historical research, press, tourist and publicity, and Maori participation—are to be set up.